Because I’ve always seen Marine capitalized. Capitalizing Soldier and Sailor is new to me.
[QUOTE=SSG Schwartz]
For the United States Army, the reference is Army Regulation 25-50. The pdf link is here. The other branches have something similar.
SSG Schwartz
[/QUOTE]
Department of the Navy (USN and USMC) uses the DON Correspondence Manual, SECNAVINST 5216.5D. It’s a coffee table book alright.
[QUOTE=SSG Schwartz]
Elendil’s Heir, unless you work for the Department of Defense or a branch of the US Military, I wouldn’t worry about it. I have had to capitalize Soldier for the last 8 years. Sergeant, Corporal, and Chaplain, are also capitalized. When referring to the Family of a Soldier, Family will also be capitalized. These are just the rules of style that have evolved for members of the Armed Forces. They really don’t have to be applied in unofficial or non-military applications.
SSG Schwartz
[/QUOTE]
Mmm-hm.
Using proper nouns is a subtle way of distinguishing who ‘our guys’ are (opposed to any sailor, foreign commercial or US government, or any soldier), and there’s a small psychological attachment to it. Proper nouns make things Important, see.
[QUOTE=Terrifel]
The obvious next question is: how does the DoD address their beggar-men and thieves?
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